CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Northeast High School senior Phasia Karyeah is making history as the second-ever student member of the Clarksville-Montgomery County School Board.
“I’m really excited for the position. I think there’s a lot to learn from it. And to any student out there looking to do the same … or wanting to get their voice out there or wanting to hear the voices of others, I think every experience is an opportunity for growth,” Karyeah told Clarksville Now. “I think people should always keep striving to do more, be more, and see more.”
In May 2025, the School Board voted to add the new, non-voting student member, according to previous Clarksville Now reports. Elijah Fuller became the first-ever student board member that fall, and Karyeah is now the second-ever. She, like her predecessor, was elected by members of the High School Student Advisory.
Karyeah’s first meeting was the School Board’s study session on Sept. 1. Dr. Jean Luna-Vedder, director of Schools, welcomed her during the meeting and highlighted her achievements. “So I am going to brag just a little bit on our new student board member,” Luna-Vedder said. “She is a well-rounded student currently enrolled in three Advanced Placement courses. … She is enrolled in a dual enrollment course as well as JROTC, while maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA.”
Luna-Vedder said Karyeah has also served as vice president of the Torch Club, received the Bronze and Silver awards as a Girl Scout, and spent a semester studying abroad in France. “Phasia is also a proud military dependent whose father is a veteran, who has served at Fort Campbell,” she said.
Karyeah told Clarksville Now she is the president of Beta Club, vice president of Student Government, a member of the National Honor Society, and is working toward her Gold Award for Girl Scouts. She took an interest in the position because she wants to learn how the school system functions and hopes to go into business management in the future.
“I just think having the chance to be in different situations and environments is always a good opportunity,” she said, “and it’s a really fun thing to put yourself out there.”
Karyeah said she is excited to learn from the School Board members and to set a good example for future student representatives. For students who have ideas about how to make their school better, she recommended asking questions and sharing their ideas with school leaders. “Nobody is going to push your voice out there except you,” Karyeah said. “So you really have to step out of your comfort zone sometimes.”
| BREAKING NEWS PUSH ALERTS: Sign up for our free Clarksville Now app